Rune of the Apprentice

In a world where magic, technology, and nature have merged, the few who can control Runes hold dominance over all of creation. All believe that Aleksi, a 16-year-old orphan, was blessed to be born with a Rune embedded in his palm, but that's only because they don't know the truth - Aleksi's Rune is so powerful it's killing him.

The Land: Founding: Chaos Seeds, Book 1

Getting eaten alive is the worst! Stabbings, maimings, and corrosive black magic are not that great either, but you really don't want to be a wolf treat! That is the kind of hands on, "teeth on", education you get when you are summoned to the Land.

Darkcozbo says:"A Story as a game playing a game, while being real life!!!"

A Facet for the Gem: The Tale of Eaglefriend, Book 1

In a land of eagle-riding knights, bloodthirsty beasts, and a ruthless prince, no border is safe for long. And as smoke billows from the only blockade standing between the great city of Korindelf and certain doom, young Morlen races to escape the inevitable siege. Thrust from the chaos with thousands of snapping jaws on his trail, he discovers that the abilities he's buried all his life are awakening - and it could not have happened at a worse time.

The Dragon Hunter and the Mage: Wounds in the Sky, Book 1

Aric and Fadan are half-brothers. Both sons of the Empress, but only one of them the son of the Emperor. A decade ago, Fadan's powerful father tore the Empire in two by outlawing the use and practice of magic. Forbidden from seeing each other, Aric and Fadan defy the Emperor and wander the vast Imperial Citadel until one night, they stumble upon an ancient Manual of Magic.

The Secret of the Dark Forest: Way of the Shaman Series, Book 3

The virtual world of Barliona is a place of rest and entertainment - but not for everyone. It has become a survival arena for Daniel Mahan after he was sentenced to eight years in its virtual jail. Mahan has been through it all: the back-breaking work in the mines, betrayal by other prisoners, and finally, the retrial which has released him into Barliona's common world. What more could one want? Mahan could have kept a low profile and enjoyed relative freedom while serving the rest of his time.

Into the Rain: Phantasia, Book 1

After finding the body of a dragon in a metallic desert, Red finds out that he is the reincarnation of a messiah worshipped by an insectoid alien race bent on invading his star system. Swept into a dangerous adventure across glacial swamps, cloud cities, and dead stars - Red must evade his true purpose in the world, to summon a forsaken deity trapped in another realm.

Pseudo-Dragon: The Blue Dragon's Geas, Book 4

When young Alador has mystical powers placed upon him, he sets off on an extraordinary quest to become a true pseudo-dragon, facing unspeakable danger from an ancient beast lurking in the shadows. As part of his journey, Alador secretly helps the Daezun people without their knowledge and comes to rely on assistance from Rena, a young blue female dragon who is falling in love with him against her father's wishes.

A Chance Beginning: Shadow's Fire Trilogy, Book 1

Erik Eleodum is a simple man. He doesn't want to be a hero. He doesn't need fame or fortune. He is content farming his family's homestead in northern Háthgolthane and raising a simple family, like his father, for the rest of his life. In fact, adventure is the last thing on his mind.

Journeyman Warsmith: The Blademage Saga, Book 2

Kevon has grown in skill, strength, and stature. Hiding amongst the miners on the Southern Frontier, he has taken up blacksmithing, relying on the near-constant touch of iron and steel to shield him from discovery by his enemies. When he learns of a growing darkness near the site of the destruction of the Mage's tower in the West, he rejoins Waine and Bertus to investigate. He takes up the mystic arts once more, and is forced to work with a former enemy to save the Realm from an evil he helped unleash.

Jonathan Haymaker: Haymaker Adventures, Book 1

Jonathan is not the strongest young man in his home village. That would be his older brother Jason. He isn't the tallest, best looking, or funniest either. Again, that would be Jason. He is better than most in the village at archery, though. He is an excellent hunter, and can perform more trick shots than anyone else with amazing accuracy. Well, he is almost better than anyone else. Jason has him beat there too. Jonathan doesn't mind though, he and his older brother share a deep bond that connects them.

Opening Moves: The Gam3, Book 1

The Earth is changing. The alien invasion brought social upheaval, advanced technology, and an armada of peacekeeping robots. But Alan, a college student pursuing a now-useless degree, cares little about all of this. He has only one thing on his mind: the Game. A fully immersive virtual reality, the Game appears to be a major part of the invading civilization. Alan can't wait to play, recklessly diving into the digital universe. Soon though, Alan realizes the Game is anything but simple, and the stakes are higher than he ever imagined.

Sisera's Gift: Dragonblood Sagas, Book 2

Kai is the town drunk. His life is simple, he works every day to pay for the drinks that help drown his sorrow, until one day when a beautiful warrior enters his favorite watering hole and changes his life forever. Raven is a proud warrior sworn to defend Princess Isabella. Her task to take child away from a devious stepfather is interrupted by an ambush that leaves her in desperate need of a tracker. When she goes looking for help she has an altercation with the one man who can help her!

Shadow Dance: Shadow Saga, Book 1

The lands are in chaos and everyone is trying to survive. The last queen was slain through treachery and decades have passed since there has been any form of solid rule in Cennicus. In the interim the races have split from one another and are amassing for a war that threatens to consume them all. This is a time of legends and need. Somehow wrapped up in it all is one boy searching for his past and the keys to his future. Namir and his friends valiantly search out vestiges of his father's past.

New Contract: Perimeter Defense Series, Book 3

The enemy's at the gate, the situation getting worse by the second, and Ruslan's employer hasn't done a good job (to put it mildly) of securing his successes. Now the star system Unatari is under threat from the Aliens. It's high time Ruslan came back in order to rescue everything he holds dear from imminent destruction and save Perimeter Defense - the game that has become his life.

Otherlife Awakenings: The Selfless Hero Trilogy

Runner and his team managed to bring peace to Tirtius, successfully log the crew out, and have begun settling in to make a home on the isle of Vix. Fate isn't going to let them go that easily though. She clearly hasn't decided on what to do with him. Plots are in motion. Threats local, divine, and abroad scheme to exterminate Runner and the threat he represents. The possibility of what he could become.

The Game: The Game Is Life, Book 1

What if life as we know it was just a game? What if instead of traditional schools, children learned by participating in a virtual reality simulation, one that allowed them to experience "life" from birth to death - multiple times? What if one player, on his final play, could change the world forever?

AudioBook Reviewer says:"pulls at the questions at the back of my mind"

Akiri: The Scepter of Xarbaal

Akiri is a blistering new heroic fantasy novel from the multiple award-winning international best sellers Brian D. Anderson and Steven Savile who have come together to create the first adrenalin-filled standalone novel in Akiri's tortured world. Can one betrayal can save a kingdom? Will two destroy it?

The Warring Son

Raz i'Syul Arro is a hunted man. To the south, the Mahsadën of Miropa are gone. The šef lay dead, slain at Raz's own hands, their cruel will ripped from the shadows of the city. In response, riders careen to every reachable corner of the known realms, telling anyone with a mind to listen of the boundless riches promised for the Monster's head. The world now turned against him, Raz is forced to flee, escaping along the northern roads just as the summer months come to an end.

Alien Arcana: Starship's Mage Series, Book 4

When a scientist is murdered after finding signs of alien magic in an archeological dig, Mage Damien Montgomery, Hand of the Mage-King of Mars, is sent to investigate both the murder and the alien runes. His investigation is interrupted when a mysterious ship attacks the ruins with weapons only available to the Martian Navy. Despite saving the dig site, Montgomery is left with more questions than answers.

The Citadel: Mirror World Series, Book 2

Performing deeds of online valor is the last thing on Oleg's mind, though. Neither does he care about any ancient lore. He's never trusted adventure, anyway. Mirror World is no place for the likes of him. Still, he's here to stay - at the demand of Reflex Bank, which has granted him a loan for his daughter's hospital treatment. Which is the only reason he's joined the ranks of the defenders of the Maragar Citadel.

A Dragon's Awakening: The Chronicles of Kale, Book 1

Kale Firehart is a young dragon, and the sole survivor of his race. As a tyrannical general and his massive bloodthirsty army close in on Kale, the most unexpected circumstance transpires. With time against him, Kale's trusted friend, a veteran arcane sorcerer, transforms him into the one thing he despises most - a human. Kale must unwillingly live among humankind as he embarks upon an extraordinary journey. With a band of unlikely friends by his side, can Kale overcome the obstacles before him and return to the life he once knew?

Project Daily Grind: Mirror World Series, Book 1

The ads enthused, "The virtual lands of Mirror World await you! Live out your most secret dreams in our world of Sword and Sorcery! Become a Great Wizard or a Famous Warrior! Build your own castle, tame a dragon, conquer a kingdom! All those desperate, lonely, and insecure - Mirror World offers you a chance!" But Oleg isn't meant to become a great wizard or a famous warrior. He'll never have a castle of his own. Nor will he ever tame a dragon. And he's definitely not the type to conquer a kingdom, however virtual it may be.

Immortal: Curse of the Deathless

Asher Hearst is a college student, and the closest thing he has to a superpower is being able to take a punch. Basically all he has going for him is an edgy sense of humor - and that he can't die. As a small-time fixer, he's about to get involved in a job best left alone. After he gets involved with witches and the supernatural, there's no turning back.

The Age of War: The Warsworn, Book 2

Relentless in their pursuit of perfection, the rock trolls have waged war for millennia. Legendary warriors, vast armies, and even dragons have fallen before their might. But now their enemy comes from within. Rising to the throne by right, King Sybrik seeks conflict even as his people dwindle and perish. His thirst for blood will see no end. Unless Tryton can stop him.

Publisher's Summary

Six rare powers govern the land of Adamah. Possessing one demands entrance to the king's army. To refuse means death.

For hundreds of years, dark clouds covered the skies of Adamah, and an ageless king ruled. Those who emerged with one of six extraordinary Shay powers were forced into the king's army, an unmatched force with inhuman strength, speed, accuracy, perception, empathy, and healing. With the army behind him, the king - a man who wields all six abilities - was invincible and unquestioned in his rule.

To most, serving the king was an honor. But for others, it was a fate worse than death. When 17-year-old Nolan Trividar witnesses the transformation of his brother from kind to cruel after entering the king's army, he vows never to follow the same path.

Powers of the Six take you to another world where the smallest person can do extraordinary things, the undead infest the night, and the sun emits more than just warmth and light.

The story is refreshingly new. The author introduces a new type of magic system/ability system that is intriguing yet not overly complicated. The book has a lot of action in it to keep you listening, but, more importantly, the story moves at a good paces and never has a slow or boring point.

My only criticism is that I would like to have seen more character development and relationship building between the characters. The character development is there, along with some relationship building, but the development could deepen somewhat.

The narration is simply superb. The narrator does a good job in bringing the story to life. 5/5

-a. except with the coolness of superpowers and such. I think I figured out how he came up with the six Powers he did, I think they're the power is an angel might be expected to have, but I'm just guessing.

The story was gripping and amazing. I finish the story faster than I was planning. The depravity of one of the characters makes me hesitant to share with others, but it is definitely a story I wish to continue with book two.

as the title suggest you are left wanting by the ending. The sacrifice your happiness thing sucks royally, unless he grows to love Kat in a sequel. But loving and pining over one person for nearly a year just to say screw it and here's why just leaves me very unsatisfied and annoyed.